New Hershey Commitments Expand Efforts to Help Consumers Make Informed and Smart Snack Choices

Published on April 21, 2017

HERSHEY, Pa., April 21, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) announced today new commitments that will increase the visibility of nutrition information and portion options as part of their ongoing efforts to offer a broad range of delicious snacks and clear information. This builds on Hershey’s ongoing commitment to provide choice and transparency.

By 2022, Hershey will make 50 percent of its total portfolio of individually wrapped standard- and king-size confectionery products with 200 calories or less. In addition, 100 percent of Hershey standard- and king-size confectionery products will have easy-to-read front-of-pack calorie labels by the end of next year. Hershey is the first confectionery and snacking company to make such a commitment for its entire standard- and king-size range of products.

“Consumers are at the heart of all that we do and we have been at the forefront of providing the choice and transparency they want,” said Michele Buck, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Hershey Company. “We aim to delight our consumers and these steps will provide an even wider range of portion options and clear information to help them select treats that fit their lifestyle.”

Currently, about 31 percent1 of Hershey standard- and king-size confectionery products are already 200 calories or less and 70 percent of products carry the Facts Up Front calorie label. Through these new commitments:

100 percent of Hershey standard- and king-size confectionery products will carry the Facts Up Front calorie label by the end of 2018;

New king-size options that enable consumers to more easily share or save a piece for later will be available by 2020; and

50 percent of Hershey’s total offering of individually wrapped standard- and king-size confectionery products will be 200 calories or less by 2022.

Hershey expects that the 200 calorie commitment will be achieved through a combination of reformulation, innovative new products and adjusting the size of certain items in the portfolio. Above all, Hershey will continue to deliver great-tasting and high-quality products, core to its business since 1894.

Building on Commitments to Simple Ingredients and TransparencyIn February 2015, Hershey committed to transitioning to simple ingredients, and today offers products that deliver on this promise across its portfolio, from the iconic Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars and Hershey’sKisses Milk Chocolates to snacks like KRAVE Jerky. By 2020, all everyday Hershey’s brand chocolate confection products will have simple ingredients.

Hershey is a leader in transparency, making it easier for people to access more information about their food. In 2015, the company led the development and adoption of the innovative SmartLabel™ platform. This year detailed SmartLabel™ product and ingredient information will be available online for 100 percent of its products, and next year SmartLabel™ QR codes will be on all packaging linked to detailed product and ingredient information.

Most recently, Hershey launched the interactive Sourcemap tool, enabling people to trace the origins of key ingredients for Hershey’s Milk Chocolate with Almonds and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. In addition, Hershey recently reported it had sourced 60 percent of all the cocoa it purchased globally in 2016 from certified and sustainable sources, enough cocoa to surpass the amount required for the global production of four of its most popular chocolate brands: Hershey’s, Kisses, Kit Kat (United States only) and Brookside. The company is on track to achieve its commitment to source 100 percent of all the cocoa it purchases globally from certified and sustainable sources by 2020.

About The Hershey CompanyThe Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 18,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.4 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey’s, Reese’s, Kisses, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers and Brookside. Building on its core business, Hershey is expanding its portfolio to include a broader range of delicious snacks. The company remains focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to extend its competitive advantage in North America.

At Hershey, goodness has always been about more than delicious products. For more than 120 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on giving underserved children the skills and support they need to be successful. Today, the company continues this social purpose through ‘Nourishing Minds,’ a global initiative that provides basic nutrition to help children learn and grow. From neighborhoods across the United States to the streets of Shanghai and Mumbai and villages of West Africa, our goal is to nourish one million minds by 2020.